North Korea, invasive plant and more

With our park and organ centennials coming up in 2015, it seems like a real shame to miss the opportunity to do something grand for our beloved Balboa Park. Such an occasion may not occur again for many decades. I hope the authorities can come to agreement soon on a plan worthy of “America’s Finest City.” – Ronald De Fields, Lemon Grove

U.S. sub Dolphin wasn’t a stalker

Your article on the Foxtrot (“Sub sets the scene,” March 11) was most interesting. But simulations of the Soviet submarine and the Maritime Museum’s USS Dolphin “stalking each other” are pure fantasy. Dolphin never stalked anybody. She was a small, deep-diving research platform – no torpedo tubes, no weapons and no “legs” for extended ocean patrols.

Keep Hollywood out of San Diego, please. – James Ransom, captain, U.S. Navy (retired), San Diego

STEM degree isn’t a job guarantee

In the newspaper I see yet more articles emphasizing the importance of STEM degrees (“Jacobs: Immigration issues could hurt S.D. economy,” Business, March 9; and “Helping youth compete, succeed,” Opinion, March 9).

My son graduated in June 2012 from UC Davis with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, a field of study he really enjoys. However, he has been unable to find a job in his field, either locally or nationally. I know of other recent STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] graduates with the same problem.

Though I firmly believe that studying science and technology is important in today’s society, a STEM degree should not be promoted as a guarantee of success or a direct path to a job. Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Gates need to be clear. They seek employees with computer science or electrical engineering degrees, preferably advanced degrees. As with any other field of study, there are some STEM degrees that are more marketable than others.

Let’s continue to encourage young people to pursue their interest in STEM careers, if that is their choice. But let’s not promise them employment. – Louise Nicoloff, La Mesa

Sprinter ‘humiliation’

In response to “Sprinter train shuts down today for up to 4 months” (March 9): The Sprinter to be closed down for up to four months out of “an abundance of caution” because the Sprinter cars were purchased outside the U.S. and the supplier doesn’t have any replacement parts readily available for a mass-transit conveyance that runs 365 days a year? Are you kidding? Everyone who takes the Sprinter is now supposed to find an alternate form of transportation after putting their (misplaced) trust in this form of transportation? Unfortunately yet another uniquely San Diego humiliation.

Everyone in the chain of decision making whose lack of foresight and failure at the most basic level of maintenance planning should be fired – out of an abundance of caution. After all, who knows what other absurd miscues such as this these people have made that are just waiting to come to light? Ridiculous. – Jim Berg, San Diego

No confidence in utilities’ promises

The power bureaucrats have made us all a promise we can take to the bank (“Agencies defend policies,” In Response, Opinion, March 9).